NSW DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES

Environmental Management Plan

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When conversation turns to protecting the environment, the work of the Department of Corrective Services might not immediately spring to mind. On closer reflection though, there are many examples of the Department not only upholding its duties as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen, but also of contributing significantly to some of the State’s major environment protection projects.Walking along the foreshores on the South Coast and enjoying scenery unspoilt by exotic weeds, or having a picnic on the banks of the Parramatta River, you might not be aware that this is due to the eradication and clean-up work of offenders, sentenced to community service or periodic detention, supervised by departmental staff.

Also, the next time you are enjoying a visit to Taronga Zoo or the Western Plains Zoo, it might surprise you to hear that the Black Rhinos’ enclosure was built by inmates of Brewarrina (Yetta Dhinnakkal) Centre and that the koalas are fed by browse planted and harvested by inmates at the John Morony Correctional Complex. The Wildlife Care Centre at this Complex assists the Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) look after sick, diseased and endangered animals, acts as a holding centre for Customs and the RSPCA, and is an educational facility for TAFE and veterinary students. It is the largest of its kind operating in New South Wales.

An area in the city full of meaningless graffiti or drug paraphernalia one day and cleaned up the next - chances are that this is due to the co-operative partnership between the Department’s Community Offender Services, TAFE Outreach, a local Council and with the labour of offenders. Helping care for the environment

can be one opportunity for offenders to make restitution to society for their wrongdoing. In addition to the community work, the Department pursues environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of its operations. For example, the mere fact that there exist over 30 correctional centres, residential institutions of a size comparable with hospitals and schools, brings with it environmental challenges ranging from responsible waste disposal and reduction, sustainable energy use, and water conservation to responsible land management. There is even medical waste to consider as there are quality health care clinics in all correctional facilities.

Just to list some further examples which illustrate the breadth of the Department’s environmental ‘portfolio’: the Department is responsible for heritage buildings at Long Bay, Berrima, Grafton, Cooma, Tamworth, Goulburn and Silverwater; Corrective Services Industries (CSI) provide work and training to inmates in a wide variety of commercial and agricultural activities in correctional centres operating afforestation camps, market gardens and nurseries.

The Department is part of a bigger picture in these endeavours. The 2006 NSW State Plan provides a focus for the priority areas identified in this Environmental Management Plan.

Our Department is committed to walking lightly. I commend this Plan to all staff and encourage them to carry out their activities in an environmentally-friendly manner.

RON WOODHAMCommissionerFebruary 2008

Commissioner’s Foreword

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This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) establishes mechanisms to ensure the Department manages environmental risks, meets or exceeds targets for energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission reductions, recycling, ‘green’ purchasing and land and heritage conservation and restoration.The Department forms co-operative partnerships with other government and non-government organisations on a wide variety of environmental protection initiatives.

Staff of the Department are actively involved in the development and implementation of policies and practices that contribute to the Department achieving its environment management objectives. The Department encourages and incorporates any ideas and suggestions put forward by the staff enabling them to carry out their activities in an environmentally-friendly manner. Staff undergo relevant environmental and OHS training to enable them to achieve the Department’s environmental objectives in a cost-effective and safe manner.

Managers across the Department are responsible for the implementation of this EMP in their work areas and for the provision of training and information to staff, inmates and offenders.Inmates in correctional centres and offenders in the community play an active role in environmental management and protection activities.

This Environmental Management Plan has six key environmental management areas:

1. Waste management–continued and increased reductions in waste

2. Biodiversity conservation–protecting plant and animal species in their natural habitat

3. Sustainable energy use and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions–effectively managed energy use and reduced greenhouse gas emissions

4. Chemical management–safe handling, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals

5. Water conservation–secure and sustainable water supply

6. Sustainable building and architectural conservation–environmentally sustainable developments and protecting cultural heritage

The Department has an Environmental Projects Register to complement this Plan. This register gives a comprehensive list of all environmental activities being carried out in the Department and is regularly updated and refined. This register is available on the Department’s website, www.dcs.nsw.gov.au

Introduction

1Waste management

AIMS

Decrease amounts of waste

Reduce consumption of non-sustainable materials

Increase use of recycled and recyclable products

Manage waste efficiently and cost-effectively

Comply with relevant legislative requirements

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Reduction in waste output

Reduction in waste dump/disposal fees

Reduction in annual cost of paper

Amount of waste recycled

Amount of paper purchased which has recycled content

Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) Report to the Department of Environment and Conservation biennially

Compliance with other relevant legislative/statutory requirements

Trade waste agreements with the Sewage Authority

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PlANNED OuTCOMES

ACTIONS

Reduced paper consumption in the administration of corrective services

Review amount of paper used and set monthly paper quotaEncourage paperless meetings

Efficient disposal and management of waste material

Dispose of e-waste i.e., computers, servers, laptops, telephones by:n extracting and recycling plastic and metalsn arranging, with providers, for the disposal and recycling of photocopiers n refurbishing old computers for use by inmates in educational programs

Dispose of clinical waste generated in correctional centre clinics by:n placing heavily contaminated and ‘sharps’ waste into appropriate containersn arranging for collection and disposal of containersn placing posters identifying different types of clinical waste in all clinics

Manage trade wastes generated by Corrective Services Industries (CSI) by:n ensuring waste from grease traps does not go directly into the sewern regular pumping of systemn conducting regular testing, monitoring and maintenancen implementing emergency response proceduresn implementing procedures to protect against eco-spills

Increased recycling and reduction of waste

Provide recycling receptacles for and arrange collection of:n toner cartridges / paper waste / tin cans /aluminium containers

Replace polystyrene products with recyclable paper products wherever possible

Introduce contracts for sorting and weighing waste

Recyclen wood chips and sawdust in nursery and landscaping industries, and

vegetation at afforestation camps for mulchingn construction and demolition materials where building and/or refurbishment

is taking place

Compost organic kitchen waste at selected correctional centres

Biodiversity conservation

2AIMS

Protect plant and animal species in their natural habitat

Increase number of local community projects to slow biodiversity decline

Eradicate noxious weeds

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Number of foreshore erosion prevention projects completed

Number of noxious weed eradication programs completed

Number of local native species of flora and fauna identified and protected

Compliance with site-specific landscape management plans

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PlANNED OuTCOMES ACTIONS

Identified river foreshores and wetlands cleaned-upImproved public access to foreshore areas

Use of offenders on Community Service Order (CSO) projects to:n remove rubbish from river foreshores and wetlandsn carry out weeding of the foreshoren replant river bank vegetation and native floran monitor water quality in rivers, lakes and foreshores

Protection and preservation of native flora and fauna

Identify native flora and fauna on sites managed by the Department and develop site-specific landscape management plans

Use offenders on CSO projects to:n eradicate and contain the spread of noxious weeds and pests such

as lantana and bitou bush n plant native flora in wetlands to stabilise sand dunes

Propagate native flora in nurseries employing and training inmates at select correctional centres

Improved land productivity and regeneration

Cultivate pine plantations at afforestation camps to supply softwood to commercial businesses

Recycle, package and sell wood chips from the sawmills employing and training inmates

Cultivate and harvest eucalyptus trees for browse for koalas at Taronga Zoo

Sustainable energy use and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

3AIMS

Manage energy use effectively and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions

Comply with standards of energy use

Construct energy efficient new buildings

Carry out energy efficient refurbishments

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Annual energy savings for all departmental facilities

Annual fuel savings for vehicle fleet

Increased use of energy-efficient construction materials and appliances

Increased number of video conferences

Decrease in number of air quality improvement notices or complaints

Compliance with indoor air quality standards

Smoke-free work environment policy for correctional centres

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PlANNED OuTCOMES ACTIONS

Reduced energy costs/electricity bills

Install low energy lighting in all departmental facilities

Carry out annual Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) assessments for energy efficiency and greenhouse performance, identify areas of low rating and take action to improve the rating

Forward the assessments to Department of Environment and Climate Change as required

Purchase energy-related equipment and fixtures that are minimum 4-star energy rated

Increased use of alternative energy sources

Convert coal-fired water boilers to natural gas where natural gas is available

Purchase 6 percent ‘green’ energy

Reduced emissions and fuel costs

Purchase departmental fleet vehicles which meet the government’s greenhouse gas emissions rating

Extend use of video conferencing to reduce number of inmate escort transports

Improved air quality Conduct environmental health assessments on indoor air qualityat selected correctional centres or facilities annually, orwhen WorkCover issues an improvement notice

Forward assessment reports to the Staff Health Services unit which monitors the progress of any recommendations

Implement and monitor the Department’s smoke-free work environment policy in correctional centres approved

4Chemical management

AIMS

Handle, use and dispose of hazardous chemicals safely

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Reduction in amount of hazardous chemicals used

Reduction in chemical accidents

Reduction in number of WorkCover notices

Compliance with relevant legislative/statutory requirements

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PlANNED OuTCOMES ACTIONS

Hazardous chemicals are managed in compliance with the legislation

Adhere to departmental policies and procedures for the management of hazardous chemicals

Maintain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) register in every workplace and undertake risk assessments for safe use and emergency response

Dispose of hazardous chemicals and containers in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental requirements

Carry out annual internal audits of workplace OHS management systems

Carry out external audits on all CSI business units safety management systems for quality accreditation purposes

Act on any non-compliances identified

Staff are knowledgeable in the identification and disposal of hazardous chemicals and management of chemical incidents

Provide training and information to staff

5Water conservation

AIMS

Secure and sustain water supply

Manage water conservation efforts and water quality improvements efficiently

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Reduction in annual water consumption

Number of tanks correctly installed and maintained

Water Savings Action Plan for metropolitan correctional centres as required by Department of Environment and Climate Change

Monthly sampling of potable water

Compliance with legislative/statutory requirements

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PlANNED OuTCOMES ACTIONS

Improved water conservation practices

Introduce water saving regimes e.g., use of timers, water flow restrictors

Install new water-related equipment and fixtures which have minimum 4-star efficiency rating

Increased rain water retention at correctional centres

Install rainwater tanks for non-potable use

Increased water re-use/recycling

Collect grey water from bathrooms and laundries in collection tanks at selected correctional centres

Install diversion devices at new correctional centres to enable use of grey water

Use grey water for irrigation and other identified purposes

Private suppliers of water comply with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Implement water monitoring programs and water management plans at selected correctional centres

Test bore water regularly

6Sustainable building and architectural conservation

AIMS

Protect and preserve the State’s cultural heritage

Ensure all facilities are environmentally sustainable

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Compliance with environmental building standards

Compliance with Australian Fire Safety Standards

Reduction of fire risks

Heritage Asset Management Strategy (HAMS)

Compliance with the Australian Building Code

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PlANNED OuTCOMES ACTIONS

Facilities are environmentally sustainable

Design, construct and maintain new correctional centres and refurbish existing facilities to comply with environmental building standards

Building specifications do not include rainforest timbers

Co-ordinated fire management

In correctional centres and other departmental facilities:n carry out risk assessmentsn make recommendations where necessaryn advise and support management in the implementation of the

recommendations

For bush fire management:n arrange assessments by the Rural Fire Servicesn implement any recommendations made

Upgrading existing hydrant systems to comply with standards

In the design of new correctional centres, consult with Facilities Management Branch and the Department of Commentce to:n ensure that hydrants are installed in compliance with standardsn oversee the installation of fire detection systems

Historic sites are protected and preserved

Use of CSO projects to conserve and restore historic sites

Staff and inmates participate in the Save Harpers Mansion project at Berrima Correctional Centre

All departmental heritage-listed buildings are preserved

Implement the Department’s Heritage Asset Management Strategy to comply with the State Agency Heritage Guide

Public spaces and buildings are graffiti free

Offenders participate in the Graffiti Clean-up Community Service Orders Scheme

NSW Department of Corrective ServicesHenry Deane Building20 Lee StreetSydney NSW 2000Telephone: (02) 8346 1333Facsimile: (02) 8346 1010Postal Address: GPO Box 31, Sydney NSW 2001

Further details can be found on the departmental website: http://www.dcs.nsw.gov.au/

Paper StockThis document is printed

on Monza Satin Recycled,

an FSC accredited paper,

manufactured using

Elemental Chlorine Free pulp

that contains 55% Recycled

fibre (30% Preconsumer

Fibre / 25% Post Consumer

fibre). The mill is certified

under ISO 14001 and IPPC

environmental management

systems.

ISO 14001The standard published by

the International Standards

Organisation specifying

the requirements of an

environmental management

system.

IPPCIntegrated Pollution

Prevention and Control.

IPPC seeks to prevent or

minimise air, water and soil

pollution by emissions from

industrial installations in the

community.